Trainer John Sadler earned his 2,000th victory in North America when Rooster City wired four opponents in the first race Nov. 9 at Betfair Hollywood Park (VIDEO).
A winner of nine training titles in Southern California, Sadler, 56, ranks fifth all time at Hollywood Park with 647 victories.
Joe Talamo rode Rooster City, a 6-year-old City Zip gelding, for owners Gary and Cecil Barber. It was the first start for Rooster City since he was claimed for $62,500 last Nov. 20.
Completing the 1 1/16 miles over Cushion Track in 1:44.51, Rooster City ($7.20 as the 5-2 second choice) won by a half-length over 13-10 favorite Joe Carl in the $20,000 claimer for older horses. The win was the sixth in 26 starts for Rooster City, who was re-claimed out of the race by trainer Tim McCanna for owner Victor George Bahna, Jr.
The win was the first of three for Sadler. The trainer, who won with Kettle Corn , his only starter on opening day of the Autumn meet Nov. 8, also took Friday’s sixth with 7-1 shot Distort This, a 3-year-old Distorted Humor colt owned by the Barbers, and the eighth with 8-5 favorite Candy Trophy.